H.S. football playoffs: Corona del Mar defense steps up when needed

Nov. 16, 2013

Updated 9:21 a.m.

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Loara's Edson Valesquez, left, dives as he tries in vain to stop Corona del Mar's Cole Martin, right, from scoring a touchdown during Friday's playoff game at Newport Harbor High School. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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Corona del Mar's Braden Brahs catches a long pass down the field to set up a touchdown during Friday's game against Loara at Newport Harbor High School. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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Loara's Robert Downs (2) runs with the football during Friday's playoff game against Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor High School. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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Loara's Josh Moran, right, is tackled by a mob of Corona del Mar defenders during Friday's playoff game at Newport Harbor High School. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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Loara quarterback David Gistlinck throws on the run during Friday's playoff game against Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor High School. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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A Sea Kings fan dances in the stands during Friday's football game between Corona del Mar and Loara at Newport Harbor High School. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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A fan cheers during Friday's football game between Corona del Mar and Loara at Newport Harbor High School. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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A couple of young fans take in the football game between Corona del Mar and Loara at Newport Harbor High School on Friday. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

Loara's Edson Valesquez, left, dives as he tries in vain to stop Corona del Mar's Cole Martin, right, from scoring a touchdown during Friday's playoff game at Newport Harbor High School.KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

NEWPORT BEACH – A wobbly start to the playoffs would have been bizarre for Corona del Mar's prideful, stout defense. The scenario was actually unfolding Friday night until Parker Chase and Harrison Carter intervened.

Chase sacked Loara quarterback David Glistnick and Carter hustled to recover the subsequent fumble, the sequence that set the tone for the Sea Kings' 44-3 home victory at Newport Harbor High in the first round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs.

Even as the top seed, the two-time defending champion and ninth-ranked team in Orange County, Corona del Mar (11-0) looked a bit vulnerable right away.

Loara (6-5), which was in the postseason as an at-large entrant, moved 38yards on the game's opening possession before Chase stripped Glistnick from behind just as Carter was arriving on the scene.

“I felt a little sense of urgency that (Loara) was going to score too quick,” said Chase, a junior defensive end.

Corona del Mar steadily settled in afterward.

Running back Cole Martin, who has scored in nine of 11 games this season, rumbled for 118 yards on 13 carries and had three touchdowns.

Quarterback Luke Napolitano had another solid outing, completing 17 of 19 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Bo St. Geme was the clear standout among Napolitano's long list of receivers with 127 yards on six catches, including the first long play of the game.

St. Geme took a short pass from Napolitano and burst past Loara defenders for a 43-yard score to put CDM ahead, 7-0.

The breakout came two plays after Carter's fumble recovery on Corona del Mar's 36-yard line after Chase's sack, which was one of six by the Sea Kings.

“We've been a very aggressive defense all year,” Carter said. “We aim for sacks.”

Loara tried to remain competitive throughout the first half but trailed, 34-3, at halftime.

CdM is a step closer to becoming just the fourth Orange County team to win three consecutive CIF titles. The Sea Kings will meet Los Amigos, which defeated Estancia, in the quarterfinals next week.

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